Brazilian law enforcement, through the cybercrime unit of the prosecutor’s office of Sao Paulo, Cyber Gaeco, has taken action against fake streams.
It launched a large-scale disruption operation, targeting JustAnotherPanel, a global service offering fake streams used in streaming fraud.
JustAnotherPanel provides technical infrastructure to a large network of re-seller sites offering fake streams on digital streaming platforms, as well other inauthentic interactions such as fake likes and followers.
Following coordinated action supported by IFPI and Pro-Música Brasil, the prosecutor’s office obtained a court order requiring JustAnotherPanel, along with its commercial infrastructure, to be blocked across Brazil. The order is under implementation and at least 43 illegal local services were disrupted and over 1,131 foreign re-sellers impacted.
In addition, the action discovered the extensive botnet system that formed part of JustAnotherPanel infrastructure to deliver inauthentic behaviour online.
The activity was found to amount to criminal offences including breach of consumer protection laws.
The move taken in Brazil against JustAnotherPanel is the single largest action yet in its efforts to address the streaming fraud landscape.
IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley said: “Fake streams aren’t just a numbers game – they harm artists and erode trust in our system. We’d like to thank Cyber Gaeco and Brazilian law enforcement for taking such innovative action against platforms like JustAnotherPanel. By doing so, they reinforce the value of authenticity in music and ensure that Brazilian artists and music creators can continue to create new music”.
Paulo Rosa, president, Pro-Música Brasil, said: “Streaming manipulation is one of the biggest concerns of the music sector these days. We applaud the Public Attorney’s Office of the state of Sao Paulo for this successful operation and will continue to work closely with Brazilian authorities to tackle these fraudulent practices and protect music consumers.”
Subscribers can read our new interview with Victoria Oakley in the latest edition of Music Week.
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